Arrests after flare-up at A-League match

POLICE arrested three men and a teenage boy after flares were thrown, chairs were smashed and a pre-match brawl erupted between fans at Sydney's A-League soccer derby.

At Saturday night's showdown between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, six flares were thrown and several chairs smashed by a group of Wanderers fans, Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate told reporters on Sunday.

Loud detonators were also set off at several train stations, he said.

Supt Dengate warned fans that police would not tolerate such dangerous behaviour.

"We're not going to see here what may be seen unfortunately throughout parts of Europe and other parts of the world."

Soccer authorities would decide whether to ban the men from attending further games, Supt Dengate said.

Police identified alleged offenders from CCTV footage and charged two men, aged 21 and 28, with possessing a non-firearm for discharging an irritant in a public place.

They will appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on January 8.

A 16-year-old boy was also arrested for allegedly throwing flares and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Another man was charged with affray and resisting arrest after a brawl between fans near Central Station.